Martha and Robert Atherton Ministerial Scholarship

Established in 1997, this scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance to promising ministerial students in their 2nd or 3rd year of seminary who have already proven their capabilities. This scholarship is awarded to individuals who respect hard work as a foundation of a full life and appreciate the freedom, political system, and philosophical underpinnings of our country. Martha and Robert Atherton are dedicated Unitarian Universalists who have made this scholarship possible through their generous contributions.

The Ministerial Credentialing Office has limited scholarship funds available to students enrolled full-time or at least half time in a Masters of Divinity degree program leading to fellowship as a Unitarian Universalist (UU) minister. Aspirant or Candidate status is required. Deadline for receipt of financial applications each year is April 15th. Applicants for financial aid are automatically considered for scholarships and no additional material is required, except where noted.

In addition, priority is given those grantees that have demonstrated outstanding ministerial ability secondarily to students with the greatest financial need, especially persons of color. Grantees will be primarily citizens of the United States and Canada, and if they continue to excel in both academic and social performance may be eligible for additional scholarships.

See the list of previous Atherton Award Recipients.